A tragic accident occurred on Saturday in Mohalla Chai Aam, located in the Basti Sheikh area of Jalandhar. The roof of an old and dilapidated house in the locality suddenly collapsed with a loud crash. Several people were present inside the house at the time of the incident. As the roof fell, a loud noise reverberated through the area, triggering panic and chaos among the residents. The accident claimed the life of a laborer named Rawat, aged approximately 50, while three other individuals sustained injuries.
According to eyewitnesses, the house had been in a dilapidated condition for quite some time. Cracks were already visible in the walls and the roof. Locals stated that concerns regarding the condition of the house had been raised previously, but timely repairs were not carried out. When the roof suddenly collapsed on Saturday, the people inside were trapped beneath the debris.
**Neighbors Initiate Rescue Operations**
Upon receiving news of the accident, neighbors immediately rushed to the scene and initiated rescue operations. On their own initiative, residents began clearing the debris in an attempt to extricate those trapped underneath. Subsequently, the police and ambulance services were alerted. Rescue teams arriving at the scene successfully extracted the injured individuals and those trapped in the rubble, transporting them to a hospital. Doctors pronounced the critically injured Rawat dead upon arrival. Meanwhile, the three other individuals injured in the accident received medical treatment at the hospital. They were discharged after receiving first aid.
**Demand Raised for Inspection of Old Buildings**
Following the incident, an atmosphere of grief and fear has gripped the locality. Residents have urged the administration to conduct periodic inspections of old and dilapidated buildings to prevent similar accidents in the future. Locals point out that numerous old structures in the area remain in a precarious state—on the verge of collapse—and could trigger a major tragedy at any moment.
Upon receiving the information, the police from Police Station No. 5 also arrived at the scene and have initiated an investigation into the entire matter. The police have taken custody of the deceased’s body and have deposited it in the mortuary at the Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The administration has also announced plans to conduct a survey of old and dilapidated buildings in the area. Officials state that such structures will be identified, and necessary action will be taken to ensure the safety of the public.
